Magsayo defends WBO crown

MARK Magsayo wants to make his homecoming count when he defends his WBO International Featherweight title in front of his family and friends in “Pinoy Pride 43: Battle for Bohol” this Saturday, to be telecast live at 6 p.m. via SKY Sports Pay-Per-View and aired the following day on free television on ABS-CBN at 3:30 p.m., and on primetime at S+A and S+A HD at 6:30 p.m
Magsayo (17-0, 13KOs) hopes to put on a show for his fellow Boholanos at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol against Japanese challenger Shota Hayashi (30-6-1), who looks to shrug off the hometown disadvantage and shoot for a victory that will propel the former champion again in the rankings.
Veteran sports anchor Anton Roxas and boxing historian and analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino both believe that the Filipino fighter, who is ranked number two by the WBO in the featherweight division, has what it takes to put the Japanese veteran to sleep. They also see a very explosive fight between the two, whose primary style is a straight-up brawl that Filipino fans will appreciate.
“Magsayo reminds me of a young Pacquiao as he brings two things to the ring: charm and harm. He has a nice story but when he’s in the ring, the kid throws punches with bad intentions. He brings in brutal raw power,” said Tolentino.
“Hayashi, being a veteran, uses his height and body to bully in his opponents to bury his short right punch. His style is actually tailored for Magsayo, who wants his opponents to come to his punching range. This is what makes the fight a very explosive one,” Tolentino said about the visiting Japanese fighter. Roxas added that while Hayashi may have logged more fights than the 22-year old pride of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, he has not been outside of Japan, and will be hard-pressed to nullify the energy from the crowd.
Magsayo, for his part, vows to display everything he has learned in previous fights and trainings so far to meet the expectation of the home crown. “This has been a long-time dream for me, to be able to fight in front of them and make them proud that I am from Tagbilaran,” he said.
If “Magnifico” ends up successfully defending his title this Saturday (November 25), he can look forward to a world title fight against the best in WBO Featherweight lynchpin Oscar Valdez from Mexico, who has been dubbed as the most complete fighter in his division by fellow analysts.
“If he gets past Hayashi here, there will be talks of him going after Valdez and being World Rank 2, he should. I also believe Magsayo has a chance against him thanks to his punching power, after seeing Valdez get knocked down by Servania, who, no offense to Genesis, is more known for his cerebral method of fighting,” Roxas said.

“That’s my dream fight for Magsayo. And I think that is also the fight “Magnifico” is looking forward to after seeing former stablemate Genesis Servania, who is not considered as a power puncher but more of a boxer, put Valdez down to the deck, he knows that Valdez can go down, and he’s also the best featherweight. So to be the best, you have to beat the best. And also, if I might add, there can be an angle of revenge for his former stablemate in Servania,” Tolentino added.
“I really want (WBO Featherweight champion) Valdez. If I beat Hayashi, I’m going to get that title fight. I’m coming for it,” Magsayo said in Filipino, clearly letting everyone know who he’s coming for.
Boxing fans can watch Magsayo, who idolizes power punchers like him such as Manny Pacquiao and Gennady Golovkin, live, commercial-free, and in high-definition on SKY Pay-Per-View for only Php99. Call your local SKY office or 418-0000 to subscribe or visit www.mysky.com.ph/boxingppv. SKYcable subscribers can also text BOXINGPPV to 23662. SKYdirect postpaid subscribers can text SKY to 23668, while prepaid subscribers can text PPV <SPACE> BOXING <SPACE> <BOX ID> TO 23667. SKYbroadband subscribers can watch via SKY on Demand.
Don’t miss a very explosive brawl in Tagbilaran City, Bohol as Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo wants nothing but a glorious homecoming bout against Japanese challenger Shota Hayashi at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol for “Pinoy Pride 43: Battle for Bohol.” The fight will be telecast on ABS-CBN at 3:30 pm with a primetime airing on S+A and S+A HD at 6:30 pm. For those who want to catch the fight LIVE and without delay, SKY Pay-Per-View has an offering for its subscribers. For more stories and information on the fight, visit ABS-CBN Sports’ hub sports.abs-cbn.com and follow them on their Facebook and Twitter (@abscbnsports).
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